Somewhere amidst the frosty tundra of northern Canada, a musk ox (yes one of those vast and curmudgeonly beasts) is missing a little of its tummy fluff. Not very much of its tummy-fluff you understand, not enough to leave it with a shivery abdomen, for the musk ox is extremely well-insulated and tends to moult its excess in spring. But just a few grams, sufficient to make… oh I don’t know… maybe a cowl for someone in the frosty – er – “tundra” of south Oxfordshire.
All I can say is thank you, Mr or Mrs musk ox. And thank you again to my father-in-law, the Gregarious Grandfather, for providing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bury my senses in the fur of such a marvellous arctic beast. 
The qiviut cowl is finished! Nah, that doesn’t fully convey my excitement over this fact. How about, THE COWL IS FINISHED!!!! It’s a Smokering – a lacy but simple pattern that shows off the slight ombre in the yarn quite wonderfully. I’m wearing it in our chilly house as I write this and I feel both warm (at least in the neck area – everything else is shivering) and at one with the musk ox.
Is it obvious how gorgeous this yarn is? Perhaps not from a photo. Let me explain. If I laid this 34-gram cowl on your hand, you’d scarcely notice its weight, but instead feel the most gentle, floaty sensation on your skin. 
Qiviut doesn’t shrink so it isn’t prone to felting, but I have to say that a little of the oxen grumpiness remains in the yarn and it did tend to scramble itself into felt-like tangled messes rather too easily as I wound it and worked it. Am I complaining? No of course I’m not, because I have this:- 
And within this happy, simple pattern, there is lace, although it’s hard to make out the details in the fluff-fest above. Here’s another shot:- 
Some people say that qiviut is a nicer (and altogether more amenable) experience when it’s blended with silk or summat. And yes, this might make the yarn a little more biddable, but I can honestly say that putting on a pure qiviut garment is absolute heaven. Well worth the grumpiness, I say. *Meanwhile, if you’re in the UK, don’t forget the Stylecraft yarn designing competition! I’m so excited to be on the judging panel that will look over all your entries. Go on, let your imagination go wild! In case you can’t make out the details from my little photo, everything you need to know to enter is here.*
Toasty Strings says
February 24, 2015 at 1:32 pmI’ve always wanted to knit with qiviut. Looks lovely and soft!
The Twisted Yarn says
March 2, 2015 at 8:39 amIt is rather wonderful, and it rapidly gets even softer with handling.
Sue Kuisma says
February 24, 2015 at 1:33 pmqiviut is heaven. I once had a scarf.. each stitch pleasure to knit. The *#/* moths got it one summer. Tears were wept, lesson learned. Most amazing yarn ever and worth every penny ( or pence)
The Twisted Yarn says
March 2, 2015 at 8:40 amMoths!! In qiviut!! Oh my goodness, how on earth are you sounding so sane after having that happen?
Missy's Crafty Mess says
February 24, 2015 at 1:36 pmBeautiful. Love the colors too. Hopefully the critters fur grew back before the temperature dropped.
The Twisted Yarn says
March 2, 2015 at 8:42 amI think they mostly use fur that has been moulted in spring. 🙂
fernwoodnursery says
February 24, 2015 at 1:41 pmooh la la……that’s all that needs to be said. (And purple!)! Beautiful, really!…..and what soft and cozy decadence to have that wrapped around your neck!
The Twisted Yarn says
March 2, 2015 at 8:42 amThank you. Believe me, I’m making the most of this, because I don’t suppose it’ll happen again.
eclectichomelife.blogspot.com says
February 24, 2015 at 1:46 pmLooks totally yummy. Bet it feels it too.
The Twisted Yarn says
March 2, 2015 at 8:43 amYup. 🙂
Tajana says
February 24, 2015 at 2:03 pmWoooooooooooooooow….. speechless!
The Twisted Yarn says
March 2, 2015 at 8:43 am🙂
bonnyknits says
February 24, 2015 at 3:05 pmStunning. I love it. I’ve drooled over some quiviut at my LYS, so at least I’ve gotten to touch it. Would love to knit with it someday!
The Twisted Yarn says
March 2, 2015 at 8:43 amThe wonderful thing is that it gets softer and softer as you knit with it.
meganb1977 says
February 24, 2015 at 3:06 pmBeautiful!
The Twisted Yarn says
March 2, 2015 at 8:44 amThank you.
knitterpixie says
February 24, 2015 at 3:31 pmThat is a gorgeous cowl. Enjoy it freely!
The Twisted Yarn says
March 2, 2015 at 8:44 amThank you. 🙂
gladeridercrafts says
February 24, 2015 at 4:40 pmThat looks soo smooth already, I can only imagine how much more fluffy it is in person 🙂
The Twisted Yarn says
March 2, 2015 at 8:44 amYup, there’s fluff. Much lovely fluff.
whip1up says
February 24, 2015 at 6:41 pmWhat a luxuriously beautiful thing!
The Twisted Yarn says
March 2, 2015 at 8:45 amIt has been an honour to knit with this wonderful yarn just once in my life.
annabellefranklinauthor says
February 24, 2015 at 7:25 pmThat looks so soft and warm – and what a delicious colour! Just the thing to make this grim weather a bit more bearable.
The Twisted Yarn says
March 2, 2015 at 8:46 amYup. I would have been almost disappointed if it had suddenly warmed up!
Carole says
February 24, 2015 at 8:35 pmOoooh, that looks divine. So luxurious and cosy 🙂
The Twisted Yarn says
March 2, 2015 at 8:46 amYup!
Amy at love made my home says
February 24, 2015 at 8:46 pmIt sounds incredible! The colour is beautiful isn’t it! xx
The Twisted Yarn says
March 2, 2015 at 8:46 amThank you. It is a wonderfully rich colour.
Many Bright Things says
February 24, 2015 at 9:34 pmI am trying to work my way up the knitting ladder or greatness until I am worthy of knitting with such a majestic yarn. In the meantime I am admiring your qiviut cowl from afar, and imagine its weightless softness, and all-round marvelousness…!
The Twisted Yarn says
March 2, 2015 at 8:47 amBut such lovely yarn needs only a simple pattern to show it off….
dragontearsoflove says
February 24, 2015 at 10:37 pmI am so jealous right now…I love how the most curmudgeonly creatures create the softest things, and warmest feelings;-).
The Twisted Yarn says
March 2, 2015 at 8:48 amYes, their fur is definitely softer than their tempers. Not that I’ve ever met a musk ox.
Katie Writes Stuff says
February 24, 2015 at 11:09 pmIt looks absolutely glorious!
oddlyended says
February 25, 2015 at 12:06 amThat is absolutely beautiful! What a magnificent gift that was.
The Twisted Yarn says
March 2, 2015 at 8:49 amBelieve me, I am most definitely grateful for this gift.
Allison says
February 25, 2015 at 2:08 amSo pretty! I might invest in some of that qiviut…with all the wind here in KS my neck gets shivery very quickly!
The Twisted Yarn says
March 2, 2015 at 8:50 amNo way would your neck ever shiver again – this stuff knits up so fine but soooo warm.
sewchet says
February 25, 2015 at 10:22 amIt looks so gorgeously soft and fluffy and, whilst I’m not a purple person, that second photo has made me think twice:)
The Twisted Yarn says
March 2, 2015 at 8:50 amIt comes in lots of other rich, luscious colours too. 🙂
jem arrowsmith says
February 25, 2015 at 12:04 pmThat looks absolutely beautiful, and warm too!
KerryCan says
February 25, 2015 at 12:11 pmWill you ever take it off?
The Twisted Yarn says
March 2, 2015 at 8:51 amNope. Never. 🙂
shadowlilies says
February 25, 2015 at 6:59 pmBeautiful!…I want to touch it… 🙂
The Twisted Yarn says
March 2, 2015 at 8:52 amOK, I’m holding it up near the screen so if you can sort of reach through a bit…..
(It does feel heavenly soft.)
arlingwoman says
February 26, 2015 at 12:43 amI can’t help but think the musk ox would be pleased.”My coat? You made that with my coat?” Yeah.
The Twisted Yarn says
March 2, 2015 at 8:52 amI don’t know. I fear that musk oxen may be quite grumpy about most things…
Isabel's Needleworks says
March 4, 2015 at 9:20 pmI’ve never seen or heard of qiviut before ..imagine that and living in Canada. Shame on me lol Now its on my bucket list with buffalo yarn 🙂 BTW the colour is so beautiful.
Izz